Gorman Road subdivision recommended for approval by council

A controversial 37-lot subdivision on Gorman Road has been recommended for approval

OUT OF CHARACTER: Surrounding residents do not support a subdivision proposed for Gorman Road. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0627gormansln

A CONTROVERSIAL 37-lot subdivision on Gorman Road has been recommended for approval at an Orange City Council meeting on Tuesday night.

A 38-lot subdivision, including a lot for a drainage reserve, was first proposed at 76 Gorman Road in 2012, however, councillors last year resolved for the developer to redesign the proposal to address character and biodiversity.

The plans now allow for 36 residential lots, ranging from 2000 to 3367 square metres, and a public reserve.

In its report, council staff said the site was not environmentally sensitive and complied with the zoning, however, there was concern about the visual impact on rural residential land to the west and north of the site.

“On the one hand, previous submissions received raise what are considered to be legitimate concerns about the differing densities and the preservation of semi-rural character,” the report said.

“On the other hand, the proposed development is consistent with those densities, minimum lot sizes and general objectives for the zone.”

The report also said the amended plans had not really addressed concerns from 2013. Out of the 15 trees on site, only four would be adequately protected and the road network had not been changed to reflect the site’s topography.

Staff have proposed to increase the no-building buffer from six metres to 10 metres to allow for more vegetation to be planted, add additional screening between the development and one neighbouring lot and establish tree preservation zones on certain lots as conditions of approval - only two trees would be approval for removal.

In their submissions, surrounding residents argued the smaller lot sizes were out of character with neighbouring properties, run-off would increase, views would be affected and the changes made to the original proposal were only “tinkering”.